If the Atlantic Ocean is widening at a rate of 3 cm per year, how far (in miles) will it spread in a million years? (1 point)

Question

• 18.6 miles
• 30 miles
O 186.4 miles
O 1.9 miles

Answer 1

To find out how far the Atlantic Ocean will widen in a million years, we can use the following calculation:

1. The Atlantic Ocean is widening at a rate of 3 cm per year.
2. We need to calculate the total widening over 1 million years.

Total widening in centimeters: $$3,\text{cm/year}\times 1,000,000,\text{years}=3,000,000,\text{cm}$$

3. Now we convert centimeters to miles. We know:

• 1 inch = 2.54 cm
• 1 foot = 12 inches
• 1 mile = 5,280 feet

First, convert centimeters to inches: $$3,000,000,\text{cm}÷2.54,\text{cm/inch}\approx 1,181,102.36,\text{inches}$$

Now, convert inches to feet: $$1,181,102.36,\text{inches}÷12,\text{inches/foot}\approx 98,425.19,\text{feet}$$

Finally, convert feet to miles: $$98,425.19,\text{feet}÷5,280,\text{feet/mile}\approx 18.64,\text{miles}$$

Rounding to one decimal place gives approximately 18.6 miles.

So, the Atlantic Ocean will spread approximately 18.6 miles in a million years.

The correct answer is: 18.6 miles.